LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) (21 page)
Read LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) Online
Authors: J.S. Luxor
“We should exchange contact info,” he mentions while reaching for his phone. I share the TTP office line with him in case we need to maintain a professional relationship.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, Joanna. Can I call you sometime just to talk?” Michael persists since we’re only about a block from the lobby entrance by now.
“Michael, it’s been fun to spend time with you. I don’t think we should talk about anything but business though. I’m involved in a serious relationship and he’d be upset if I spent time talking with someone else on a regular basis,” I explain and hope Tristan would be happy about the boundaries I’ve just set.
“Well, then, how about a goodbye handshake, Joanna?” he asks with resignation.
Before I can say anything else, I notice a pair of legs behind Michael’s body. I note that the person behind us has gripped the collar of Michael’s shirt with force and pulled him away from me. I straighten my posture. The two men now confront one another. I look at my rescuer’s face and discover that it’s someone very familiar but totally unexpected.
“This young woman just told you that she’s seeing someone. Get it?” he asks. Michael blanches, apologizes and waves me goodnight.
“Tristan. What’re you doing here?” I ask with shock.
THE END OF BOOK 3
LOVE QUAKES
CHALLENGES
Young Adult Seduction Series
Book 4 of 4
By J.S. Luxor
Copyright © 2013 J.S. Luxor
All rights reserved.
Luxor Productions. Kindle Edition.
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Except for the original material written by the author, all songs, song titles and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.
Joanna’s POV
Tristan stares at me as though I’m a prize. “I’m just protecting what’s mine. Right now, you look so wonderful to me.”
My mouth drops open for a moment before I speak. “Do you mean to tell me that you spent the day flying across the country just to keep Michael away from me?”
“Joanna, he was putting the moves on you, at dinner, from what I saw and besides I really missed you, baby.”
“What exactly did you see on the video?” I ask with growing irritation In my voice.
“Video footage of you talking enthusiastically with the same joker I just sent on his way,” he admits with a jealous glare on his face. “What were you telling Michael, anyway? You had so much to share.”
“He wanted to know all about San Diego and I told him, what I could, about the city. I suppose our friend, Mr. Hawk, sent you this video footage of me at dinner?”
“Yes, Joanna, that’s right. That’s why I pay Tom so well. He’s here to protect you,” Tristan pronounces and then attempts to physically steer me toward the Marriott by my elbow.
I push back from his touch and stop in my tracks. “Your behavior astounds me, Tristan. Is this what Kristen taught you about protecting yourself?”
“Joanna, I’m very careful about my relationships. Someone with my background needs to investigate all threats to my security.”
I snort and head toward the Marriott while Tristan follows me. “What you’re really saying is that you don’t trust me with other men. Admit it!”
“It’s not so much that I don’t trust you, it’s just that I don’t trust them. You’re so naïve, you don’t know what they’re really trying to do.”
“Michael seems like a perfectly fine person. He was just going to shake my hand tonight. And, he respected the fact that I was in a relationship,” I explain with mounting rage. I despise feeling like I’m someone’s property.
“Your peer, Michael, was pushing the limits,” Tristan counters with a glint of the green eyed monster in his irises. “You must have noted that.”
“I thought I handled him quite well, however.”
“You certainly made your boundaries clear and I appreciate that, Joanna,” Tristan admits as his face softens. He attempts to put his arm around me as we enter the lobby of the Marriott.
However, I’m having none of Tristan’s jealous rant. I twist away from his embrace. Tristan’s face falls in disappointment. “Thank you, Tristan. However, you just humiliated me in front of one of my colleagues. I may never live this one down. I’ll be known as the girl with the overly possessive boyfriend.”
“Joanna, this Michael guy was trying to get into your pants. You know that, right?”
I huff in frustration. “He was interested in calling me since he wanted to know more about San Diego. He hopes to live there.” We’re heading toward the elevators as we speak.
Tristan makes a sarcastic face. “So, he’s taking advice about downtown San Diego from someone who’s lived there for three weeks? You should have given him my phone number. I could have easily told him about the highlights of San Diego including turning left at the ocean and jumping in.” We’re still having a heated discussion as we wait in front of the elevators for my section of the building.
“I’m amazed at your extremely overbearing behavior, Tristan. It’s deviant.”
“You were acting irresponsibly, Joanna. What were you doing out alone, in Manhattan, at night? You promised me you’d stay with Janelle. Instead, I find you shopping with Michael.”
“Actually, Tristan, I was purchasing a gift for you,” I hiss with phony smile. Tristan’s tight jaw relaxes as my words sink into his caveman brain.
The elevator pings and we enter it together. I punch the number 18 and wait for Tristan to respond. The doors close without any further input. “You realize, of course, that I’m rooming with Janelle,” I state.
“Let’s get your luggage and go to my suite,” he commands. His arrogance knows no bounds.
“Pffsshh,” I spit out nonsense with venom, “so you think you can waltz into my conference, humiliate me and my friend, and then take me to bed with you? Forget it, Tristan! By the way, here’s your gift,” I shout and throw the package from my purse at him.
He catches it with ease and slips it back into my bag. Then, he gives me his panty-dropping smirk. I resist his charms and cross my arms over my chest while staring straight ahead. He’s confused and hurt at my response.
“Sorry, Joanna,” he replies, finally, and drops his head. The lost and abandoned expression on his face melts me. As the elevator heads toward my floor, the atmosphere shifts. He moves so close that I can feel him sweat. It’s the proximity to him that does me in, however, as I feel the powerful pull of Tristan’s heat. His arm finds its way around my waist. I can no longer resist.
Tristan narrows his sexy eyes at me as the electricity sparks around the two of us. We’re alone in the elevator. He groans as his green orbs fill with emotion. Before I know it, he’s pushed me into the corner of the lift. His arms snake around my waist to prevent me from moving and his hips pin me to the wall.
“Forgive me, Joanna. I’ve missed you so much,” he moans before his hungry tongue invades my mouth. I try to push him off of me but my will shrinks as his kiss deepens. I’d forgotten how good he tasted. Soon, we’re both panting with desire. My hands wrap around his waist. We’re kissing passionately when the elevator stops.
“You’re mine, Joanna. That jerk wasn’t going to make a play for my girl,” he chants before his lips scorch mine.
“Yes, Tristan, I’m yours, all yours,” I assure him as I pull him close. I know he needs to feel exclusive with me and that’s what I want as well. That calms Tristan instantly.
We cling to each other as we make our way down the hallway. By the time we arrive at the door of my room, I’m lost to him.
“I love you with every beat of my heart, Joanna. How did I manage to remain sane for three days without you?”
“How did I manage to stay away for three entire days? I love you, too. Where’s your room, Tristan?”
“The penthouse was full, so I had to settle for a junior suite a few floors up.”
I knock to let Janelle know that we’re here. Then, I open the door and peek my head in. Janelle’s already in bed and reading something on her IPAD. She looks shocked to see Tristan step into the room with me. I pull him, behind me, by the hand.
“I missed her too much,” Tristan explains with a dazzling smile as we enter.
“I’m going to pack up here and stay in Tristan’s suite tonight,” I announce without any fuss. His delighted expression motivates me to move quickly as I gather my toiletries and the rest of my clothes. My luggage is organized within minutes, with Tristan’s help.
“What about our flight tomorrow?” Janelle asks with concern.
“You can have both first class seats. I’m flying back in Tristan’s corporate jet.”
Janelle’s face drops in shock. “Really?” I think she’ll be Googling Tristan Grant’s Wikipedia listing tonight.
“In fact,” Tristan adds, “Hawk’s also returning on the corporate jet. Why don’t you ask Ryan and his wife if they want two first class seats. You can take Tom’s seat in business, if you don’t mind.”
“No, of course, I don’t mind and it’s another way to get points with the boss,” Janelle admits. “What should I tell them about how I managed to get these seats?”
“A gift from a supporter of TTP,” Tristan announces as he takes my luggage in one hand and wraps the other around me. “I’ll have my staff call Ryan Tran and make the changes to the boarding passes, tonight.”
Janelle shakes her head and waves us off as I leave my key card for the conference room on the dresser. We’re out of the hotel room and headed to his suite in a flash.
“Aren’t you curious about your gift, Tristan?”
“Of course, Joanna,” he whispers while kissing my neck and cheek. “Let’s wait until we reach my place, though.”
Tristan’s Junior Suite is about four times the size of my room with views of Times Square, on both sides. He puts my luggage down on the bedroom floor while I drop my purse and jacket on a nearby chair. I’m in his arms and pulling on the lapels on his jacket with passion in a nanosecond. His hands are firmly cupping my rear by now.
“Three days apart from you constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, baby.”
“Always so focused on legalities,” I observe in between kisses. My arms and hands rest on his neck and chest.
“The way you kiss, Joanna, should be illegal.”
“Do I get a reward or a punishment, then?”
“A bit of both, I think,” he judges and then swats my ass gently. My hands are now tugging his suit jacket off. It falls to the floor and pools at our feet. Tristan kicks it away.
“Why did you just spank me?” I ask provocatively and stick my tongue in his ear.
“You went out alone at night in Manhattan without Hawk or Janelle,” he hisses but then nips my neck with affection.
“Since you’re paying Hawk so well, I’m just keeping you on your toes, Grant.”
“I get crazy with jealousy when I see other men chasing you, Joanna. I nearly gagged when I watched the video of you and Michael. I think he was about to move in for a little kiss when I pulled him from you outside.”
“I certainly wouldn’t have allowed him to kiss me, Tristan. Don’t worry, he couldn’t compete with you on any level, Tristan.”
He chuckles and then tosses me onto the bed. I look at Tristan’s molten gaze hovering over me and then reach up to pull him toward me by his tie.
“Why don’t we get these clothes off you?” I ask as his tie slips through the collar of his shirt at my prompt.
“Sounds delightful, Joanna. By the way, I also brought you a present,” Tristan proclaims while kissing me long and hard. He unbuttons his shirt as he lowers himself onto the bed.
“Is it something that I can use now?”
“Most definitely.”
“Good, by the way, you can’t use your gift now,” I counter.
We kiss and moan for a few minutes more while his hands explore every inch of my chest. My hands itch to touch his pants but I resist the urge. His dress shirt hangs open as he looks down at my face with reverence. At the moment, Tristan looks so good I could inhale him.
“You have the most adorable, innocent little face, Joanna. No wonder Michael was after you.”
“Where’s my gift, then?” I ask to distract him from any thoughts of Michael.
Tristan reaches up and pulls a package from the top of his nightstand. “Try this on for size.”